TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced that a recent naval exercise between the Islamic Republic and China was aimed at ensuring the security of the Northern Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday night, Admiral Sayyari pointed to a four-day visit to Iran by a Chinese flotilla of warships and said the Iranian naval forces staged a joint exercise with their Chinese counterparts on the last day of the visit.

“The objective behind holding such exercises is to exchange experiences and information and help ensure the security of the Northern Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden,” he stated.

The commander further emphasized that such naval drills have been staged with all foreign flotillas that have paid a visit to Iran.

He also said holding specialized and regular war games is on the agenda of the Iranian Navy, adding that 25 naval drills and war games are held by the Navy each year.

In an earlier speech during an Iftar ceremony on Sunday night, Admiral Sayyari also said the Navy has ensured the security of merchant ships and oil tankers in open seas.

He said today, the Navy has a powerful presence in international waters, adding that it has escorted 4,000 ships in the Gulf of Aden.

In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in high seas to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.

In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.